BYD Sealion 06 — Larger, Quicker, Stronger, Higher

Final Up to date on: twenty sixth July 2025, 04:07 pm

The BYD Sealion 6 first appeared in 2020 as a gasoline-powered midsize SUV in China, earlier than BYD made the choice in 2021 to supply solely battery electrical and plug-in hybrid fashions going ahead. That gave the impression to be an enormous gamble on the time, however since then, BYD has seen its gross sales soar, making it one of many world’s largest automobile corporations by quantity.

In 2021, the Sealion 6 grew to become the Sealion 06. A yr in the past, David Waterworth, our correspondent in Australia, shared the impressions of his pal Garry after driving the plug-in hybrid model of the first-generation Sealion 06 for 3 months. One of many issues that impressed Garry probably the most was that the automobile value about $27,000 AUS lower than an equal mannequin from Mitsubishi.

In April, BYD unveiled the next-generation Sealion 06, which sells in China for 139,800 to 163,800 yuan ($19,500 to 22,700) in line with Automobile Information China. From the images, what we see is a completely trendy wanting midsize SUV that — squint somewhat — appears just like the Tesla Mannequin Y, which sells for almost twice as a lot in China.

The cut up headlight motif is probably not all people’s cup of tea, however it’s a styling function discovered on many automobiles at present, notably Genesis fashions from Hyundai Motor Company. Like it or hate it, the look is extra interesting than the nuclear powered cheese grater grille that Lexus likes to slap on the entrance of its automobiles.

The brand new midsize SUV is predicated on BYD’s “e-platform 3.0 evo,” which is able to charging at 800 volts. Just like the first-generation Sealion 06, it’s provided in its dwelling market each as a pure electrical automobile and as a plug-in hybrid. The PHEV model makes use of a modified platform, however each automobiles share the identical exterior look. In Europe, BYD gives a really comparable mannequin below the identify Seal U. Presently, that automobile is battery electrical solely, however a plug-in hybrid model can be provided in European quickly.

In contrast instantly, the brand new era appears noticeably smoother and extra refined, Electrive says. “On the entrance, the cut up headlights and the air curtains built-in into the bumper are notably placing. The rear incorporates a stylish full-width gentle bar.” BYD says the second-generation automobile is three centimeters longer than the unique, coming in at 4.81 meters (16 ft). That makes it a bit bigger than the Tesla Mannequin Y, which is 4,750 mm (15.6 ft) lengthy. The brand new mannequin is 1.92 meters (6.3 ft) huge and 1.67 meters (5.5 ft) excessive. It weighs between 1.9 and a pair of.2 metric tons, relying on how it’s configured.

Three Configurations For BYD Sealion 06 BEV

In battery electrical kind, the Sealion 06 is available in three configurations. Two rear-wheel-drive variations provide a alternative between a 170 kW (228 hp) or a 180 kW (241 hp) motor. The twin-motor, all-wheel-drive efficiency model makes use of the 180 kW motor on the rear and provides a second motor driving the entrance wheels for a mixed output of 310 kW (416 hp). BYD gives drivers a alternative of two battery packs — 65.3 or 78.7 kWh — each of which use the corporate’s proprietary Blade LFP battery expertise.

Presently, BYD markets its plug-in hybrid fashions for Europe with a 26.6 kWh battery — somewhat bigger than the battery within the unique Nissan LEAF — which provides them really spectacular battery-only vary of 170 km (105 miles). At CleanTechnica, we all know a lot of our readers are conflicted about PHEVs. Why add the complexity of two powertrains while you solely want one? And actually, the info means that PHEVs have extra upkeep and restore points than both combustion engine or battery-powered automobiles, so why burden your self with them?

The reply is vary nervousness. Battery-powered automobiles are nonetheless comparatively new expertise and the charging infrastructure shouldn’t be as strong because it may very well be. If you happen to run low on battery cost in South Succotash or East Overshoe on a wet evening with no EV chargers round, that may be a problem. Higher protected than sorry appears to be the most typical clarification for why some individuals choose PHEVs over BEVs.

With 100 miles of vary, a PHEV will be pushed like a battery-powered automobile. Drive it, plug it in an evening, and by no means go to a gasoline station once more. Simply don’t neglect to place a dollop of STABIL within the tank to maintain your gasoline from turning to jelly because it sits, unused and unloved, month after month. The automobile will create nearly no carbon emissions, the driving force will get to economize as a result of electrical energy prices lower than gasoline, and the proprietor will get used to plugging in, which is able to make one thing as soon as dreaded right into a nothing burger, or perhaps a profit. Can a PHEV be a gateway drug to pure battery electrical motoring? Completely.

Midsize On The Outdoors, Massive On The Inside

On the within, the BYD Sealion 06 has lots to advocate it, beginning with a panoramic glass roof and together with heated and ventilated seats. There’s additionally a lot of room for the stuff individuals prefer to convey with then once they go locations. With the rear seats up, there are 757 liters (27 cu ft) of room for issues of all shapes, sizes, and descriptions. With the rear seats folded down, the cupboard space greater than doubles to 1,630 (58 cu ft). There may be additionally a frunk up entrance in battery electrical variations with a further 142 liters (5 cu ft) of storage.

The Sealion 06 gives quite a lot of what individuals prefer to name “worth for cash.” Put one other manner, prospects really feel like they’re getting greater than they paid for, which is just about the important thing to the gross sales sport. The value in Europe can be considerably greater than in China, largely due to the tariffs imposed by the EU on Chinese language automobiles, however BYD has the reply. It’s planning two European factories and a 3rd in Turkey, which is able to enable it to keep away from these pesky tariffs and put worth stress on conventional EU producers like Volkswagen, Fiat, and Renault.

The BYD Sealion 06 represents a distillation of the most recent pondering on the planet of cars. It’s the proper dimension for a lot of drivers, has adequate cargo capability, has all of the bells and whistles within the inside anybody may probably need, and comes with a really aggressive beginning worth. It additionally illustrates how Tesla has probably painted itself right into a nook. BYD has the posh of providing its prospects a alternative between a PHEV or a battery electrical. Tesla has no such PHEV choice — a mirrored image of the philosophy of its chief, Elon Musk.

Ten years in the past, that single-minded give attention to battery electrical automobiles appeared like a profitable technique. At present? Not a lot. The lesson right here appears to be that philosophy doesn’t essentially translate into a very good advertising technique. That’s the reason BYD is consuming Tesla’s lunch at present and appears poised to proceed doing so for the foreseeable future.